Frequently Asked Questions
We regularly receive questions from our local community and will publish the most frequently asked on this page.
We will update this page regularly to reflect the changing nature of the questions throughout the different stages of the project.
If you have a question for the Digital Rutland team please email digitalrutland@rutland.gov.uk
Why can Digital Rutland not bring fibre broadband to areas where another provider is already operating?
The council's Digital Rutland project is funded using national grant money and the conditions of this funding state that the project must not cover areas where another provider is already offering, or plans to offer fibre broadband. This is not a decision taken by Rutland County Council, but one that applies not just to Government money, but also Rutland County Council, DEFRA or any other state funding.
I currently receive broadband from a provider but I’m not happy with the service I receive. Can Digital Rutland help?
If you are unhappy with your current broadband connection, then please speak to the Internet Service Provider that you are signed up. They will be able to provide you with advice about how best to set up your home network. One of the first things you should do is check your current broadband speed and see if it matches what your ISP says it should be delivering.
As a last resort, don’t forget, there are a wide range of broadband providers available so if you are really unhappy and make no progress after contacting your ISP, you can always consider switching to an alternative provider.
If I choose fibre broadband, can I stay with my current broadband provider or do I automatically choose BT (because the council have signed a contract with them)?
BT is working with the council to upgrade the infrastructure, which is only the method of connection, such as cables and fibres, rather than the service.
You will then be able to choose your Internet Service Provider (broadband company) in the same way that you do now. You will also be able to stay with your current provider if you wish.
It is a similar scenario to that of Railtrack owning and improving the track, and then train operators (such as East Midlands Trains) being able to run services on them.
Digital Rutland is not forcing you to change anything and if anything, you will find a greater choice of ISPs in the future than you currently have.
Is the Digital Rutland project only covering Oakham?
Digital Rutland is a countywide project that will bring superfast fibre-based broadband to 97% of homes and businesses (90% covered by Digital Rutland project, 7% through additional funding) across the county.
What speeds will I be able to get?
97% of homes and businesses across Rutland will be capable of achieving up to 80Mbps. This compares to an average of around 6Mbps currently. The remaining 3% of properties will all get between 2 and 24 Mbps. Many of our more rural areas currently get 0.3/0.4 download speeds, so this will still be a substantial improvement.
How do I know if I’m in the 3% who might not get superfast broadband?
A lot of survey work is due to take place during the summer months so we can find out more about the current infrastructure. If you live in one of the towns or a larger village, then you will almost certainly be in the 97%. The more difficult properties, such as isolated farmhouses or small clusters of homes away from a village centre, may present more of a problem. However, we are committed to getting at least 2Mbps download speed to every property.
Once the Digital Rutland project has upgraded the infrastructure in my area, how will it impact on my current broadband connection?
The key thing is that you will still be able to choose your own broadband provider. The improved infrastructure will also enable broadband providers to offer packages that are not currently available in Rutland. We are hopeful improved infrastructure will attract more competitive deals and help drive prices down.
I’m pretty certain I will be in the 3% of homes and businesses that will get 2-24Mbps as I live in a house in an isolated location. What “alternative broadband technologies” will you be looking at?
We are looking at a number of alternative technical solutions (such as wireless, satellite, advanced copper) to achieve this.
Does this infrastructure upgrade mean that my phone calls will also be made over the Internet?
Some broadband solutions mean you have to make calls over the Internet. This is not the case with Digital Rutland. The proposed upgrade to the infrastructure will retain your normal telephone connections, whilst separately improving your broadband speeds.
How is Digital Rutland funded?
BT was chosen by the Council following an extensive and thorough selection process. The company will contribute £800k to the project with £2.3m coming from Rutland County Council, including £820k from BDUK.
I was hoping to find out more about the project - what other information is available?
One document you might like to read is our broadband plan which we submitted to Broadband Delivery UK.
